Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
April 19, 2007
Gonzo Hearing

Gonzales, or Frodo Fredo as Bush calls him, has a big day in Congress today. Unfortunately I’ll not have time to watch the show. If anyone does, please let us know your impressions.

When asked, he will try to hardly remember anything but his name. But some good questions may break him one way or another.

Gonzales published his hearing opening remarks on Sunday. I thought that was a silly move as people immediately could start to shoot holes into his truthiness. ABC News did so stating that Gonzales Contradicts His Own Testimony.

Meanwhile the White House sent a letter to the RNC and asked it not to turn White House emails over to Congress as demanded by Conyers. One could probably make the case – as some do – that this is already obstruction of justice.

In the end, after many twists and turns which we will certainly watch with some interest, there will be one or another Supreme Court decision about the realms of executive privilege. But that will take some time and Bush may well be back home in Texas before such a judgement comes down.

Comments

It starts at 9:30ET. It’s on CSpan 1 and will have coverage for the first half hour and then it’s kicks over to CSpan 3. Why they do shit like this is beyond me, but there it is…
Any wagering on how many ways he’ll says “I don’t recall”?

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 11:39 utc | 1


Inside C-span

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 12:06 utc | 2

Also, KFPA.org (PACIFICA) and sister stations are broadcasting it live w/ Larry (kick-ass commentator)Benski is hosting it.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 13:06 utc | 3

On the Air: Special Broadcast: Gonzales Senate Hearing
Live coverage of Alberto Gonzales’ Testimony in front of the US Senate. With Larry Bensky and [great] guest experts. On air now.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 13:14 utc | 4

Get your pop corn ready!
Over/Under on how many times Gonzo brings up VaTech.

Posted by: Ghost of Saddam Hussain | Apr 19 2007 13:28 utc | 5

almost as many times as the congenital liar will say “to the best of my knowledge” Uncle.

Posted by: ran | Apr 19 2007 13:36 utc | 6

Fucking single bullet Specter! Begins w/ lies and mis-information…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 13:53 utc | 7

Fucking C-SPAN pisses me off! Why the fuck are the so disorganized!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 14:07 utc | 8

specter to gonzo: i’d like you to win this debate … but you’re going to have to win it

Posted by: b real | Apr 19 2007 14:30 utc | 9

Americablog has ongoing posts about Gonzo and a link to c-span 3 online.
interestingly- Americablog also points out something that I wondered about the other day too. but I’ll post it on the cho thread.

Posted by: fauxreal | Apr 19 2007 14:40 utc | 10

I’ll have a hub cap full of Marguerita’s please.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 14:53 utc | 11

29 “I don’t recall’s” thus far…
From Freeperville
They’re losing it.

This is bad………
**************************
Specter pretends he doesn’t understand how they could have discussions of evaluating Lam outside of the review process for removal.
****************************
I just don’t think Gonzales is up to this.
*******************************
Is anyone really paying attention to this? It 100% VT all the time. Kind of knocks the wind right out of their hearings.
*********************************
AG is stuttering.
******************************
Yikes. Gonzales isn’t doing very well.
****************************
If I were in a court case, I would hope Gonzales were opposing counsel. He is pathethic, if this is a representation of his legal capabilities. He is not representing himself nor the post of Attorney General of the US very well.
****************************
gonzales is not doing well & that’s an understatement
***************************
I’ll have a hub cap full of Marguerita’s please.
****************************
The panel are using Gonzales’s own words and positions to chew him up and spit him out.
Lunch Menu:
Taco Alberto
Alberto Burrito
Grilled Gonzales with onions
Alberto Taco Salad
Gonzales Chicken Fajitas
Fillet of Gonzales
Alberto Quesadilla
Enchalidas Gonzales
Alberto Gonzales Tostado
****************************

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 15:36 utc | 12

too funny Uncle 🙂

Posted by: Noirette | Apr 19 2007 16:39 utc | 13

Just got in and Gonzales told Durbin something to the meaning:
“If you critizise me, you make it more difficult for the prosecutors to do their job.”
Whuppie – where did he get the line – ahh I remember: if you don’t support the President the troops will die … or so …
Lunch break …

Posted by: b | Apr 19 2007 16:43 utc | 14

i think the i don’t recalls are up over 40, maybe 44.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 16:45 utc | 15

Ladies and gents THIS IS THE Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the United States of America. 54 “I don’t recall’s”
so far.
Durbin
D: did you ever sit in on meetings about USAs
G: i was a part of that committee, mr rove would occasionally be present at these meetings
D: re district of illinois
G: don’t recall conv and don’t recall if i was present
D: been reported that rove had concerns about patric fitzgerald
G: i don’t recall, where has it been reported
D: march ny times article
D: you took over as ag in jan 2005
G: feb 2005
D: at time you knew who fitz was
G: yes
D: he was high profile, chosen by comey, valerie plame
G: correct
D: shortly after you arrived there was an eval of fits
G: no don’t know what eval you’re referring to
G: i’m aware now
D: you’re aware that fitz was in process of investig members of wh staff, “has not distinguished himself positively or negatively”
G: was not aware at time, am now
D: were never shown to you
G: don’t recall ever seeing
D: do you think that was a fair eval at that time
G: i recused myself wrt mr fitz, even if i weren’t recused i would have serious questions about … during invetig…. person think he’s excellent
D: re recom that fitz be removed, did sampson speak to you about how he was going to rec fitz be removed
G: don’t recall
D: didn’t happen or you don’t recall
G: 2 years, thousands of conversations, don’t think that conv happened
D: your chief of staff is going to make a rec to president’s WH counsel and you don’t remember?
G: don’t think that happened, wouldn’t characterize as a rec… don’t think he raised it with me
D: did you ever have a conv with the pres or mr rove about the removalo of fitz
G: believe answer to that is no
D: re the other us attys, ever have a conv with rove about removal of iglesias
G: recall a discussion, not about removal of iglesias, was about voter fraud cases
D: what did rove say to you
G: my recoll, heard complaints about lack of prosecutions in voter fraud in 3 districts incl NM

G: there was no conclusion to that conv
G: believe i commun this info to mr samps but don’t recall what happened after that
D: were you party to his rmoval
G: it was my decision
D: do you think that was right decision
G: very fair question, btw this is investig by congress, not conceding taht what sampson said was true… if a memb of congr contacts USA to put pressure that’s a very serious issue.. if we had known it prob would ahve made a difference. we know that iglesias did not report – intentionally violated a policy that was intended to protect him
D: in sit w/ carol lam did you talk to rove about her fate
G: don’t recall any conv with rove about that process
D: article chicago tribune by patrick collins, asst USA, lead prosec trial of former gov of IL, served with fitz. he believes that it raises questions – while USAs serve at pleas of pres, don’t serve to please the presidents.
G: agree with that

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 16:49 utc | 16

i bow to uncle. and just found another update that said 55.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 16:53 utc | 17

As they say, a lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client.

Posted by: Ensley | Apr 19 2007 17:13 utc | 18

perhaps Gonzo has early onset Alzheimer’s. If a lowly plebe like meself can remember a character from a book (and not the only one I’ve read despite what some might think) read once 30 years ago (this summer actually), how is it that a superman like Gonzo can’t remember supposedly important details of important discussions of only some months ago?
and people like him are our betters (they wouldn’t be there if they weren’t) as I am continually reminded by others when I criticize government (chimpy was straight Cs? Marks don’t always mean anything). This built in deference is baffling to me.
Of course he remembers. he’s lying.
Don’t worry the democratic party will ride in on a white horse and save the day…

Posted by: jcairo | Apr 19 2007 17:29 utc | 19

If you guys aren’t listening to the commentary on KPFA you are missing some riveting comment’s and insights, Larry Bensky is an excellent host.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 17:34 utc | 20

Don’t worry they will ride in on a white horse and save the day…
hahahaha… surely you jest…the democratic party is the problem. The party did nothing to slow debate, nothing to block the extremists who now sit on the bench and brought you to this place. Lines are being drawn. The parrots are in with the squirrels. The dems are straw men in the wind or whores.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 17:57 utc | 21

“i don’t recall remembering” – he obviouslly went to the rumsfield school of rhetoric

Posted by: remembereringgiap | Apr 19 2007 18:21 utc | 22

Schadenfreude Pie anyone? Barkeep, round for the house, and more pretzels peanuts and popcorn!
I say we use the pretzels to throw at the screen every time Bush chokes* Abu Quaint G. chokes and repeats “I don’t Recall”…lol
*Cause you know his watching this… We should offer him free drinks…lol
Hell, I’d pick up his tab…roflmao!!!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 18:28 utc | 23

uncle, gald to hear bensky say that, even though he’s leaving kpfa at the end of the month, there’s a (slim) possibility that he may continue to do these broadcasts into the future.

Posted by: b real | Apr 19 2007 18:31 utc | 24

“glad to hear”

Posted by: b real | Apr 19 2007 18:32 utc | 25

It is all unknows; forgotten knows, or unknown knows, or secret know semi – unknows.
loud from the dark at stage left:
There you are, so there you are, and so it goes, did May bring the tea? Did she or didn’t she? Is the tea there? Can I rattle the spoon in the cup? Hurry it up. Did he say? Is the window open? Can we see, or smell, the rot of spring? Do I remember? Not for you. Not for anyone. Sugar, please.

Posted by: Noirette | Apr 19 2007 18:41 utc | 26

I agree Uncle (#21) — actually the Democrats may be even doing us harm since many assume that they represent our interests and therefore have relaxed a bit since Democrats are in the majority in Congress. But watching what they do and say, I donot know how anyone with a progressive or liberal or how about even “good government” point of view can be anything but disappointed if not out and out alarmed — as I am.

Posted by: Elie | Apr 19 2007 18:57 utc | 27

holy shit, coburn just asked for gonzo’s resignation! toast.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 19:03 utc | 28

Wow!!! — Coburn asks for his resignation. Holy Shit!!!
Coburn:why shouldn’t you be judged
by the same standards you judged the others, and fired them.
AG: blather, I made mistakes.
Coburn: I think there should be consequences for mistakes.
Round for the House!
I’ll have a double! More pretzels, please…lmao!!!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 19:07 utc | 29

uncle – coke me jinx me.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 19:08 utc | 30

yes, whitehouse cuts through the doublespeak asking gonzo to clarify “improper”. yes.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 19:10 utc | 31

Isn’t Coburn the pervert who ran on combating rampant lesbianism in Oklahoma’s high schools?… omfg! I almost passed out from laughing at that…hahahaha…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 19:17 utc | 32

are they trying to end on some upbeat message w/this internet gambling bruha??
whitehouse was the bomb

Posted by: annie | Apr 19 2007 19:22 utc | 33

U$@21
of course, and don’t call me shirley

Posted by: jcairo | Apr 19 2007 19:25 utc | 34

ot – doolittle resigned today from appropriations committee if that’s any indication of what’s to come…

Posted by: conchita | Apr 19 2007 19:33 utc | 35

Fucking single bullet Spector is is burning the clock… he’s distracting the whole process, asking about the VT shootings THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FIRING OF THE USA’s. AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
Why the fuck don’t one of the dems interrupt and ask what that has to do with these hearings?!!!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 19:40 utc | 36

Uncle, an interjection like that would require something like a spine, or balls, of which the Dems are renowned for neither.

Posted by: Ogmern I. Wulfsail | Apr 19 2007 19:42 utc | 37

Thanks conchita for the Dr. doolittle info.
Also ot, this just in: Ollie North steps up for War czar!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 19:48 utc | 38

listening to radio feed only, but orrin hatch must be a deaf, blind & dumb guy, right?

Posted by: b real | Apr 19 2007 19:59 utc | 39

Nah, b real, he’s not, he’s the escape hatch, they hatched a plan during lunch and Arlen single bullet sphincter sat on the golden egg. But it does’s look like it going to hatch…lmao!!!
Okay, I’m half drunk, and my #38 was a complete lie. My humor is twisted when boozed up. 😉

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 20:05 utc | 40

what a gaggle of gutless goons

Posted by: remembereringgiap | Apr 19 2007 20:13 utc | 41

Oh I agree Ogmern I. Wulfsail, I mean when a republican and an oakie such a Coburn calls for Abu (I can’t recall) Gonzo’s resignation and the Dems didn’t follow up in agreement you know it’s all theater –good theater–but theater none the less. I mean fuck, thaey are all still talking as if he has a future.
Why do Senators keep talking about AG’s future as AG past 48 hours?? Do they know something we don’t?
I half believe the only three reason’s Coburn dropped the R-bomb, was A)Because he knows Frodo isn’t going anywhere and B)The Dems know he isn’t going anywhere and C)The Rethugs want to shame the dems, by showing their virility (aka the balls) AND the show of strength to keep at least a little dignity in this whipeout, as a way of distancing (at least on the surface) themselves from Jr., so as not to lose big in the 08 farce….oh, and Cobin’s prolly up for re-election.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 20:28 utc | 42

specter to AG: “and i think you’ve been as forthcoming as you could be today”

Posted by: Anonymous | Apr 19 2007 20:40 utc | 43

Re: #42 US says, “Cobin’s prolly up for re-election” You need to get a little more familiar with Tom Coburn. He’s a burr under the saddle of most of his Senate colleagues and the Administration.

Posted by: SoandSo | Apr 19 2007 20:59 utc | 44

…but not a Burr like Alexander Burr…

Posted by: Ogmern I. Wulfsail | Apr 19 2007 21:03 utc | 45

“it is finished” ~Jesus
I bet if Augustus hasn’t fallen of the wagon by now, he will tonight, the stinkin dry dry ass…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 19 2007 21:07 utc | 46

it is an ugly day in hell when you have to look to arlen spector to do your real questioning

Posted by: remembereringgiap | Apr 19 2007 22:08 utc | 47

abu gonzales – he’s really desi arnez, no – there is more than a little of the ridiculous in him
what an act all the little fatboys of this administration gonzales/sampson/rove
it really is like some sordid version of ‘lord of the flies’

Posted by: remembereringgiap | Apr 19 2007 23:31 utc | 48

Re: 45 – Excuse me, I must be with fever. Aaron Burr, not Alexander Burr. Alex Burr is a guy I know who terrorizes my neighbors for no good reason at all.

Posted by: Ogmern I. Wulfsail | Apr 20 2007 0:42 utc | 49

I fail to understand why ‘we’ (in the broadest sense possible) continue to be deferrential to these fraudsters … Republicans and Democrats both including thier appointees and fellow-travellers … the positions and titles are almost universally filled by jack-asses and corrupt, nepotistic opportunists … why are they not called out ?
Maybe it’s always been this way … though I doubt it’s ever been so starkly blatant. If they were combat line officers or NCO’s I’m sure they’d end up fragged …
… I occasionally daydream of a day when the Chimp strides out to the podium for one of his sickeningly offensive rhetorically vomitous diatribes … and all present, in quiet dignity, simply turn thier backs to him and his ilk … alas, only in my dreams …

Posted by: Outraged | Apr 20 2007 1:03 utc | 50

Ogmern, take a deep breath. Look up ‘burr’ in the American English dictionary and you’ll se that its a less offensive term that you want to advance. A “burr” is an irritant under the saddle…. a discomfort. I hope this alleviates this precieved slight. Get a thicker skin!

Posted by: SoandSo | Apr 20 2007 1:31 utc | 51

The guy terrorizing my neighbors is Rex Earl Dunbar. Him and his buddy William Ferguson.

Posted by: pb | Apr 20 2007 1:57 utc | 52

“… I occasionally daydream of a day when the Chimp strides out to the podium for one of his sickeningly offensive rhetorically vomitous diatribes … and all present, in quiet dignity, simply turn thier backs to him and his ilk … alas, only in my dreams …
A good place to start may be here.

Posted by: pb | Apr 20 2007 2:19 utc | 53

Try again: here

Posted by: pb | Apr 20 2007 2:28 utc | 54

@pb
Thank you for the corrected link … though somewhat anti-climactic … had a brief anticipatory hope you were directing me to an actual recorded event re the daydream within the good old US of A.

Posted by: Outraged | Apr 20 2007 3:35 utc | 55

74 “I don’t recall/remember” 45 before lunch.All that prep work really paid off.

Posted by: R.L. | Apr 20 2007 4:00 utc | 56

Bush calls Gonzo “Fredo”, not “Frodo”. It’s a reference to the inept son in The Godfather stories. Dubya couldn’t have picked a more apt moniker. The real question is whether Fredo Gonzales sleeps with the fishes like his namesake after his performance on Capitol Hill this week.
One might consider whether “Frodo” might be a more appropriate nickname for Gonzales. After all, Frodo was going to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. In retrospect, Gonzales has pretty much done that in going to Capitol Hill and speaking about the crime circle that is the Bush administration.

Posted by: PrahaPartizan | Apr 20 2007 4:21 utc | 57

outraged :
You have seen the picture of the fledgling lawyers at Georgetown tuning their backs on Gonzalez, haven’t you?
Their University has hired a known war criminal as special lecturer on war crimes… and how to get away with them I guess.
But some of the students aren’t buying it.

Posted by: John Francis Lee | Apr 20 2007 5:26 utc | 58

Gonzales Will Never Leave Wow! it’s so, so rare to be on the same page as another in these days of dizziness and division.

The VaTech massacre will throw another layer of delusion over the American scene as politicos and media commentators attempt to reassure the public about how decent we all remain, despite the “insaneism” of a few twisted types. And the public will, by and large, buy into this, for the alternative is an honest assessment of our national manias and high tolerance for the mass murder and starvation we help to inflict on areas of the world that most people know nothing about. Then there’s Iraq and Afghanistan, the “bad” and “good” wars where violent death is a daily occurrence, hard to keep out of the public mind, but Lord knows we Americans do what we can to ignore it. Honest assessments of Who We Are and Why This Happens are not part of the program, and are officially discouraged in favor of pantomime grief and empty questions. We’ve seen it before, and we’re seeing it again. Comes with the blood splattered turf.

~Dennis Perrin

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 20 2007 5:49 utc | 59

Milbank: Maybe Gonzales Won’t Recall His Painful Day on the Hill

Explaining his role in the botched firing of federal prosecutors, Gonzales uttered the phrase “I don’t recall” and its variants (“I have no recollection,” “I have no memory”) 64 times. Along the way, his answer became so routine that a Marine in the crowd put down his poster protesting the Iraq war and replaced it with a running “I don’t recall” tally.
Take Gonzales’s tally along with that of his former chief of staff, who uttered the phrase “I don’t remember” 122 times before the same committee three weeks ago, and the Justice Department might want to consider handing out Ginkgo biloba in the employee cafeteria.

Posted by: b | Apr 20 2007 8:06 utc | 60

McClatchy: Campaign against alleged voter fraud fuels political tempest

For six years, the Bush administration, aided by Justice Department political appointees, has pursued an aggressive legal effort to restrict voter turnout in key battleground states in ways that favor Republican political candidates.
The administration intensified its efforts last year as President Bush’s popularity and Republican support eroded heading into a midterm battle for control of Congress, which the Democrats won.
Facing nationwide voter registration drives by Democratic-leaning groups, the administration alleged widespread election fraud and endorsed proposals for tougher state and federal voter identification laws. Presidential political adviser Karl Rove alluded to the strategy in April 2006 when he railed about voter fraud in a speech to the Republican National Lawyers Association.

The piece includes lots of examples …

Posted by: b | Apr 20 2007 14:25 utc | 61

I just received an email from a Vermont e-newsletter and I thought some here might be interested. A follow up on Sunday by Leahy on “Face The Nation”:
As Chairman of the Committee, Senator Leahy will be appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation” this Sunday to discuss the hearing and the current state of the investigation with host Bob Schieffer.

Posted by: Juannie | Apr 20 2007 16:00 utc | 62

ot vermont news i just learned: the vermont state senate just passed an impeachment ammendment. now it’s up to the reps there to take it to congress.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 20 2007 18:08 utc | 63

re:51, SoandSo, no perceived slight, just my weak attempt at humour. I am familiar with the dictionary, and my skin is immaculate.

Posted by: Ogmern I. Wulfsail | Apr 20 2007 18:20 utc | 64

Cognitive Daily: ScienceBloggers talk about Virginia Tech

Make no mistake, media careers are being made and ripped to shreds as a result of this shooting, and that, and that alone, is the “why” of the searching and the questioning.
I’m not sure if I’m more pissed off at the senseless violence of the event, the senseless wall-to-wall, 24/7, ‘please god let this one make my career take off’, media coverage of the event, or the fact that after hearing about it I would find myself comparing it to other senseless violence America is involved in, with, or is responsible for, and simply feel irate that it’s going to take up 90% of the North American news for the next week.

stageleft

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 20 2007 19:04 utc | 65

opps…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 20 2007 19:07 utc | 66

You preempted me on that one conchita #63.
I was part of a group of about 100 people who cornered Senate President Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Gaye Symington earlier this week in the State House to try to convince them to proceed with the Impeachment resolution but they balked and seemed to me to speak from both sides of their mouth and I gave it about zero chance that either would change their mind and let it come to the floor.
I was wrong. I’m glad I was part of the group. The last thing, as Shumlin was leaving and passed right by me, I said was, “show courage Peter”. I won’t claim that is what convinced him but his eyes met mine and I know he heard me. I’m delighted. Now the House has to do it but Symington has been the major stumbling block. I’m sure the Impeachment group will be bring more pressure on her and I hope I can be part of it again.
Whow. I love being a Vermonter. Also, Go Go Leahy.

Posted by: Juannie | Apr 20 2007 21:52 utc | 67

great to hear, juannie @67. chances are you made a difference. this is where i learned about it.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 20 2007 22:34 utc | 68

sorry, bad link again.

Posted by: conchita | Apr 21 2007 1:46 utc | 69

I’m with conchita there, Juannie. Every bit helps, and you definitely helped.
So the state of VT is going after the Decidicator, and, if RawStory is credible, Kucinich is putting Shotgun Dick in his sights: Kucinich to launch Cheney impeachment push on April 25
Now it’s time for me to be a wet blanket. My understanding of the way the impeachment process works leads me to believe that 218 members of the HoR are required to vote aye for it to then move to the Senate for a vote of conviction and removal from office. Okay, the Dems presently have 233 in the House, and with a strictly partisan vote, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Unfortunately, you then need 67 to vote aye in the Senate to secure a conviction… and the Dems presently have 51. Of that 51, one is immobile in the hospital, and the other is Joe Lieberman. Without the support of 16 Republican senators minimum, this amounts to the same slap on the wrist Bill Clinton recieved… and Bush and Cheney have enough black marks on both their records that I’m sure another one won’t cost them any sleep.
I’m sorry, the math here doesn’t add up. This is going to take nothing short of the Hague to fix.

Posted by: Monolycus | Apr 21 2007 6:36 utc | 70